Early Pregnancy and Heartburn
It is common for women to have problems with heartburn during early pregnancy. Heartburn early pregnancy issues can begin during the first trimester, but usually become for frequent during the second and worsen as the baby grows larger. There is some good news though. Women who never experienced heartburn before they become pregnant will probably not have the problem after the baby is born. Avoiding certain foods, eating others and changing how meals are taken are some steps that are taken to deal with heartburn during pregnancy.
Heartburn Symptoms
Heartburn early pregnancy symptoms include a burning sensation that starts in the top part of the stomach and radiates upward to the breastbone. Acid often enters the esophagus and rises to the extent of regurgitation. Pain or burning sensations are never located in the lower stomach or uterus. If they do, a physician should be contacted immediately.
Causes
Heartburn early pregnancy symptoms are caused by hormone changes within the body. The hormone progesterone is produced in the placenta and this hormone allows for the smooth muscles in the uterus to relax. The lower esophageal valve, also called LES, separates the stomach from the esophagus. It is located near the uterus, and relaxes from the influx of progesterone causing acid to splash up and out of the stomach and move into the esophagus. Another problem created by progesterone is a slow down of the digestive system causing food to stay in the stomach longer and take its time to move along for elimination. Worse problems may develop later in the pregnancy when the baby starts to grow and pushes on the stomach forcing acid into the esophagus. A serious problem may result in GERD, or Gastroesophageail Reflux Disease, which is controlled by safe medications or lifestyle changes.
Food
Certain foods and the times when they are eaten often are the culprit in heartburn early pregnancy problems.
Keep a journal of foods that are eaten, when they are consumed and when the symptoms start. It isn’t always the suspected spicy foods that cause the problem. Mint is supposed to ease digestive issues, but may cause excess acid in pregnant women. The journal will help in discovering what foods relate to heartburn so they are avoided.
Foods and Beverages to Avoid
Foods and beverages that initiate a heartburn early pregnancy attack include carbonated and caffeine laden drinks, citrus fruits, fruit juice, tomatoes or sauce, peppers, onions, vinegar, and processed meats. Avoid fried and fatty foods like french fries, fried chicken, chicken nuggets, and anything overly spicy like some Mexican or Chinese food. Any food that causes gas can result in a heartburn attack. These foods include beans, cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli. Chocolate and mint actually relax the LES valve between the stomach and esophagus and allow acid seepage that causes heartburn. Everyone is different and may or may not be affected by all suspect foods. That is why keeping a food journal is so important. It might take several hours after eating before heartburn starts and a journal will help detail all foods eaten so they will not be forgotten.
Foods that Stop or Prevent Heartburn
Foods that may help heartburn early pregnancy problems include raw carrots, yogurt, milk, raisins or wheat bran cereal. Wheat bran, raisins and carrots help to move waste out of the body faster and settle the stomach. Honey is an old remedy for heartburn that is safe during early pregnancy providing the woman is not a diabetic or gestational diabetic. Take a tablespoon of honey after eating or dissolve a tablespoon in warm water or decaffeinated tea and drink it. The honey coats the esophagus so acid cannot rise. A glass of cold or hot milk, bowl of ice cream or yogurt works the same way plus combines calcium, potassium and magnesium that has a tendency to settle acids in the stomach. Pineapple and papaya contain enzymes that calm the stomach and ease acid. Eat a little fresh pineapple or papaya after dinner or use papaya extract tablets to relieve heartburn.
Eating Meals
Heartburn early pregnancy symptoms are often avoided by changing the way meals are taken. Avoid eating large meals, but instead eat more frequent smaller meals. Break meals into five or six per day instead of just three or try eating a small meal every two hours or so. A meal might consist of two or three carrot sticks and half a sandwich and the next can incorporate the other half of the sandwich and a little fruit. Avoid drinking liquids with solid food. When the two mix together the solid food floats and is harder to digest. Instead, take a few sips of liquid, if needed, and drink most beverages between meals. Fill a drinking bottle and take sips all through the day. A pregnant woman should drink about eight glasses of water per day.
Chew food well before swallowing. Smaller particles of food digest faster than large chunks and lessens the chance for heartburn early pregnancy problems. Place food in the mouth with a fork or spoon and put the utensil on the table or plate while chewing. This act reminds the brain not to shovel food in the mouth at a high rate of speed and slows the eating process down. Food is chewed longer and causes fewer problems
Another tactic to stop heartburn early pregnancy issues is to avoid eating right before bed time. Midnight snacks are taboo when pregnant because they can initiate heartburn that will not allow any sleep. Avoid eating at least one hour before retiring for the night and try to give it two to three hours if possible. Give the stomach time to digest food before lying down. Reclining with a full stomach allows acid to be released into the esophagus too readily.
Medications
Several medications supply temporary relief from heartburn early pregnancy pain without adversely affecting the mother or baby. Many over the counter antacids are safely used to combat heartburn and many contain calcium or magnesium that works wonders at limiting stomach acid. Always check with a doctor first before using antacids just to be sure they are safe. Some antacids contain vitamin C and may enhance the uptake of this vitamin since acidic oranges may have to be avoided during pregnancy. Avoid antacids that include sodium carbonate or baking soda because this chemical results in retention of water and swelling of feet, ankles and hands. This swelling is common later during the pregnancy and the body does not need extra chemicals dumped into it even during early stages. Some antacid manufacturers are producing low sodium antacids that keep sodium levels acceptable and do not promote water retention.
Metoclopramide is a prescription drug used during pregnancy for nausea and vomiting. It was discovered to prevent heartburn because it clears gas that presses on the stomach walls creating acid leakage into the esophagus. Cimetidine or ranitidine are both FDA approved heartburn medications for pregnant woman, but should be monitored by a physician. Both medications work well to alleviate heartburn early pregnancy discomfort all the way through the entire term of the pregnancy. Omeprazole and lansoprazale are also approved medications for heartburn in pregnant women, especially if a minor annoyance turns into a full case of Gastroesophageail reflux disease or GERD.
Other Preventative Measures
Chew gum after eating to stimulate the salivary glands. Saliva is proven to help neutralize acid in the stomach and stop heartburn. Avoid mint flavored gum because mint tends antagonize the problem.
Heartburn often strikes at night when in bed. Laying flat allows for any acid in the stomach to easily creep through the relaxed valve and enter the esophagus. Instead of lying flat, prop the upper body up on a wedge or multiple pillows so the head is higher than the feet. The acid will stay in the stomach and promote restful sleep. Sleeping on the side is another trick that sometimes stops acid from wandering at night.
Smoking often exacerbates heartburn as does drinking alcohol. Alcohol relaxes that LES valve that progesterone has already relaxed and allows more acid to enter the esophagus. Neither substance should be used during pregnancy because of a multitude of other problems they cause for the mother and the baby.
Although wearing loose fitting clothing or avoidance of bending at the waist are more preventative measures for later in pregnancy, they may also help early on. Do not wear tight clothing that restricts the body around the waist and stomach. Tight clothing can press against the stomach and squeeze acid out and up into the esophagus. Bending sharply down at the waist does the same thing. Bend the knees and crouch down to reach things on the floor. Sit up straight and give the stomach and esophagus as much room as possible.
An old wives tale believes that when a woman has a great deal of heartburn during pregnancy, the child will have long, thick hair. That is true in many cases, but not all the time. One thing is for sure, however. Heartburn during early stages of pregnancy is a common problem and does not mean anything is wrong with the baby. A simple visit to the doctor should put the mother’s heart at ease and ease the heartburn too.